The Cavs are contemplating sitting all three of their Big 3 again against the Thunder and Colin thinks the trend of NBA players sitting for having a minor injury illness is an example of a disconnect in the relateability to fans. Fans already have a tough time rationalizing that a backup power forward makes as much as Tom Brady and has a guaranteed contract.

NFL players play hurt and face the possibility of being cut at any time. The public can relate to Jordy Nelson playing with broken ribs. They don’t relate to Dwyane Wade sitting out with a cold. It’s a perception problem and a bad look for the NBA.

“Alex Mack played a Super Bowl with a broken leg, and Jordy Nelson suited up with broken ribs. NBA guys get the sniffles, they’re out. How are the optics? How’s the relatability?”

Last night at MSG was 100% Charles Oakley’s fault

Charles Oakley’s ugly ejection and arrest at Madison Square Garden last night turned into front page headlines this morning. Oakley was approached by MSG security during the game, refused to leave, and got into some 1995 Eastern Conference Finals pushing and shoving with security. He was restrained, ejected and arrested.

Predictably, Knicks fans and many in the media have jumped to his defense and rushed to paint him as the victim in the situation, and have been quick to villainize Knicks owner James Dolan. It makes sense because Oakley is a beloved tough guy from the last Knicks teams that were actually good, and Dolan is the worst owner in professional sports and has run the once proud franchise into the ground.

Colin has little respect for James Dolan, who he has publicly called a meatball, but last night’s ugliness was 100% Oakley’s fault. There’s no way to justify it.

“This is 100% on Charles Oakley’s fault. Stop it. Can we live in a society for a change where people are culpable for their own actions?”

MLB needs more action not gimmicky rule changes

Major League Baseball is discussing adopting a rule change where baserunners will start at second base in extra innings. The proposed move is part of baseball’s quest to shorten the length of games.

Colin is no traditionalist, and thinks baseball is often hampered by adherence to outdated traditions, but this move looks gimmicky, reactionary, and fails to address the root of the problem.

As Colin has said before, baseball’s problem isn’t the length of games, it’s a lack of action. Shaving 10 minutes off an overall game with some gimmicky minor league-ish rule change isn’t going to help that. And it cheapens the game.

“It ain’t the time of your games, it’s the lack of activity in the game.”

Guests:

Michael Rapaport – Comedian and Knicks Superfan is in-studio to defense Charles Oakley; why the situation is symbolic of Knicks fans frustrations; why the Knicks fans still love Oakley; and why Colin will need protection next time he’s in NYC.

Chris Broussard – FS1 NBA Insider is in-studio to talk Oakley’s ejection from MSG; why somebody is lying; if the Cavs sitting their Big 3 is part of a wider NBA problem of players resting; and if he agrees with Colin that the Cavs have a tougher path to the Finals than the Warriors.